Homo Faber Is a Unique Venitian Event that Boosts European Craftsmanship

Homo Faber Is a Unique Venice Event that Boosts European Craftsmanship ⇒ Design and craftsmanship will receive a new dimension with a unique Venice event that is set to place from 14-30 September at Fondazione Giorgio Cini. The event in question is Home Faber organised by the leading Swiss-based entity, Michelangelo Foundation. The exclusive event is regarded as the major cultural exhibition dedicated to European craftsmanship. Today, CovetED will let you know a bit more about this exquisite and imperative event for our contemporary world and revive arts that may have gotten forgotten over time.

This unique exhibition will put fine craftsmanship in the international design spectrum and give recognition to master artisans. It will encompass a wide variety of arts and disciplines, from jewellery to bespoke designs as well as showcasing the rarest artisanal techniques. This event will take place in a number of historical and architectural spaces throughout the Fondazione Giorgio Cini (an international cultural centre in the island of San Giorgio Maggiore).

These unique spaces will be adorned with most exquisite pieces, innovative installations as well as live showcases of artisans working on their respective arts. It will have a total space of around 4,000 square metres and it will be the largest one ever held in the Fondazione, offering the public an immersive experience of European craftsmanship, “a world that relies on connection: connecting the hand, head and heart to create authentic works of lasting value.”

“We chose Venice for this exhibition not only because it is a bastion of culture and a place of unequalled beauty,” Franco Cologni, Co-founder of the Michelangelo Foundation explains, “but also because Venice is today and has always been a European hub for exchange and connection internationally.” Homo Faber will overlap the beloved La Biennale di Venezia of Architecture and the event will be a fine complement to the world’s tastemakers and influencers.

“Homo Faber is an expression that was first coined during the Renaissance and it captures and celebrates the infinite creativity of human beings. The exhibit will provide a panoramic view of European fine craftsmanship but it will nevertheless have a singular undercurrent: what human beings can do better than machines.” – Johann Rupert, Co-founder of the Michelangelo Foundation.

The Homo Faber also involves a stellar combination of world-class designers, creators and architects, including Michele de Lucchi, Stefano Boeri, India Mahdavi, Judith Clark, Jean Blanchaert and Stefano Micelli. Imagination and energy will be two of the biggest pillars of the exhibition. Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, the Triennale Design Museum, and the Cologni Foundation for the Métiers d’Art have also partnered with Michelangelo Foundation to create this exclusive event.

Portugal will be one of the featured countries in the world. Boca do Lobo is one brand in particular that will be representing the country’s legacy with two highly curated pieces that two of the most stunning and ancient arts of Portugal: Azulejos and the Art of Filigree. The first one regards the Heritage sideboard, an exclusive piece that is lined with hand-painted tiles while its interiors feature four drawers finished in gold leaf and two shelves in bronze glass. The second is the astonishing Filigree Mirror that is completely hand-crafted where each brass cord was fitted with the utmost precision, that are also gilded in 18k gold. This piece flourishes in a shape traditional to Portuguese culture and art.

Both pieces, from the Limited Collection by Boca do Lobo, will be exhibited at the space Best of European Craftsmanship, at Sala degli Arazzi, where visitors would be able to wander through exquisite objects specifically sourced for the event and observe the skill of master artisans in real time and at close quarters.

As a whole, “Homo Faber is fuelled by an ardent belief in the power and value of real human engagement”. Visitors will have the opportunity to see things in real time and speak to artisans about their craft as well as virtually enter the ateliers of the masters, among many other aspects of the fine world of craftsmanship. It is definitely an authentic experience one should attend!